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In Episode 006, your hosts at Movie Podcast Weekly tackle the bizarre, cinematic offerings of “The Man With the Iron Fists.” And we also spend about 40 minutes discussing the biggest news of last week — Disney purchasing LucasFilm and the forthcoming “Star Wars: Episode VII.” And as always, we also bring you some Mini Reviews and our Trailer Talk.
This week our special guest is HAMMER, the host of the Zombie Reckoning Podcast and The Resurrection of Zombie 7 podcast.
SHOW NOTES:
I. Intro
II. Disney, LucasFilm & Star Wars: Episode VII
III. Mini Reviews
Jason: 247°F (2011), Bear (2010)
Karl: Fun Size (2012), Chasing Mavericks (2012), Red Lights (2012), They Live (1988)
Hammer: It (1990)
OUR SPOILER SECTION FOR THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS ENDS AT: 1:16:00
Ratings and Recommendations for THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS
Jason = 5.5 ( Rental )
Karl = 2 ( Avoid )
Hammer = 4 ( Avoid )
IV. Trailer Talk:
Gangster Squad
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Movie 43
Django Unchained
Mama
V. Wrap-Up
NEXT WEEK’S MOVIE: Skyfall with special guest Derek Lowe
Links:
Follow Hammer on Twitter: @ReckoningZombie and @ResZombie7
Zombie Reckoning Podcast
The Resurrection of Zombie 7 Podcast
Commercial Suicide Songwriting Podcast
Follow Movie Podcast Weekly on Twitter: @MovieCastWeekly
Jason’s Podcast on NBC’s “Revolution”: Podcasting Revolution
We’d also like to thank The Dave Eaton Element and Dave Eaton himself for the use of his music for our theme song.
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Thank you for listening, and join us again next Monday for Movie Podcast Weekly.
Keep in mind that the Thrawn trilogy is NOT the continuation of Episode VI. In the Expanded Universe (EU) of Star Wars, there are MANY other things that take place after Episode VI but before the Thrawn trilogy, many even that take place literally as the Battle of Endor is barely concluded. Also, the story line in the EU goes well into the years of parenthood for Luke (he marries a Force-sensitive servant/assassin who served Palpatine), Leia and Han, et al. And, yes, there are more Sith lords. Han and Leia’s twin boy, Jacen, becomes much more powerful than even Vader. But the pattern has become almost silly–so much that even Boba Fett (yes, he survives and is still kicking some ass around the galaxy for years and years) makes fun of the pattern in the novels: people with Force powers make stupid choices and this throws the galaxy into chaos and the story of Anakin happens over and over and over. Don’t get me wrong; as a big Star Wars fan, I always want more. Even if that means enduring something Jar Jar Binks. There. I said it. But what would be REALLY cool as episodes 7-9 would be something from The New Jedi Order series. Here’s a snippet: the Star Wars galaxy is invaded by a species from another galaxy called the Yuuzhan Vong that doesn’t use technology of any kind . . . and have no connection to the Force. They can’t touch the Force and the Force can’t touch them. And the Vong mop the floor with the Jedi–even Luke. 19 novels of brilliance. The first is called ‘Vector Prime’; check it out! Disney, George, if you’re out there: get to Vector Prime.
Great insights, Steve. Thanks for your 2 cents.
Regarding that cycle you speak of (the Anakin Fall), I guess that gives the saga some semblance of realism, since we humans generally repeat fatal flaws throughout history. But I’m with you — let’s freshen up the story and move into new territory. That Yuuzhan Vong species sounds similarly intriguing as the Borg in “Star Trek.”
I actually think it should be some brand new, extraneous characters and story line like this, and here’s why: We got six films to watch the grand story arc of Anakin Skywalker. I can’t see feeling nearly as invested in Luke’s kids in just three films. (Naturally, they’re going to milk this beyond three films, I fear.) But I think that since we’ve spent six films on Anakin’s story, the saga needs a shot in the arm with something that’s altogether fresh. And what you’ve described sounds like it’s just what the doctor ordered.
By the way, here are the latest rumors:
Director of Episode VII = Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust, Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class) — If this is true, I’m for it!
Writer for Episode VII = Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3) — Yes! This guy is brilliant. I truly hope he gets the job. He won’t let us down.
And I’ve heard that basically all the actors who have played in any of the previous films are willing to come back for Episode VII, including Harrison Ford.
I vote that Karl Huddleston should be cast as the new Sith Lord Senior.
It’s hard to picture Star Wars in the EU. (European Union) 🙂
I also vote for me as the reigning Sith Lord Senior – as long as that doesn’t mean old. I would love sporting some Darth Maul makeup.
Yes, Star Wars needs Karl as a Sith Lord! Darth Karlious.
I’m down for whatever so long as it’s good. It sounds interesting this new species, but I wonder how well this would sit with some fans with the force not affecting them. And again, 20 films isn’t too many if they are decent, surely the Star Wars universe has as much room for expansion as the James Bond universe. Jay, sometime on some podcast we gotta talk Spider-man…
Good thought, Hammer. Hopefully fans would be as intrigued as I was when I started the series and be willing to hold their questions at bay long enough to find out what is going on. The story begins with all kinds of things in the SW universe being turned on end and it left me completely enthralled for the entire series; I couldn’t put the books down. The story arch has a fantastic trajectory. As a teaser that doesn’t give away what happens: it’s not that the Force doesn’t affect them; it sort of can . . . very indirectly, but it’s not part of them and they’re not a part of it . . . at least as presently constituted.
You are all geeks.
Join us, Andy! Let the geek within take control. And then go buy a couple of toy lightsabers. By the way, you want a blue one; it’s a better Jedi paradigm. 🙂
Andy, you’re just mad because you thought a “Klingon” had something to do with forgetting to use dryer sheets. (Yes, I know Klingons are from the “Star Trek” universe, and not “Star Wars,” but Andy doesn’t know that.)
Hammer – Are you wanting to fight with me about Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man”? First of all, read everything below knowing that Spider-Man is my favorite superhero… Having that context should really give my comments below some weight.
I liked Webb’s reboot well enough, sure, but in order to justify a reboot, there has to be a good reason: Such as, the previous attempt royally blew it, or if they have a fresh spin in mind for the reboot. But the Sam Raimi “Spider-Man” was sufficient.
I guess the bottom line is, I’m sick to death of origin stories. I hate (and I mean HATE) sitting through the same sequence of events in every first superhero movie:
1. Weak, nerdy protagonist struggles in life. 2. Something amazing happens; gets super powers. 3. Fumbles and struggles to get used to new powers (and makes a super suit). 4. Finally fights a bad guy with some degree of competence and wins. The end. Zzzzz … Zzzzzz
I just don’t want any more origin stories. They can make 100 new Spider-Man movies (and I’ll go see every one), as long as they’re not just giving me the same old origin story once again.
Attn: Star Wars Guru Steve Hernandez:
I had a listener ask me if there’s a Star Wars book that chronicles (in prequel fashion) the life of Darth Sidious — perhaps from cradle to the point when he kills his master, Darth Plagueis. If any such books exist, could you let us know the title(s)?
Thanks,
Jason
As far as I know, the adolescence of Palpatine (later, Darth Sidious) has not been covered in depth in the EU. However, there is a novel by James Luceno (see it here: http://www.amazon.com/Darth-Plagueis-Star-James-Luceno/dp/0345511298) entirely about Plagueis which includes how he comes across Palpatine, recruits him to become Sidious, and trains Sidious. The story line takes the reader all the way through to when Sidious murders Plagueis.
Steven,
That’s the movie I want to see. I’ll see that in IMAX, it MadMax, in Maxi Pad, in 3D, 2D, 1D or ImaginaryNumberD.
If VII is about Luke’s children I am going to pass on the movies. Unless he has them with his twin sister. They did kiss, you know, and he was even proud about it.
Rob
He was indeed proud of it! Robot Chicken took it to a whole new level that cracked me up! http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VMMVrYly73k&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DVMMVrYly73k
Yes, Jay, I very much want to argue with you about how a sequel can be the same film as its predecessor (Taken 2) and yet a reboot needn’t be a similar film to the original. I still say you need to set up Garfield as Spider-man, I love Raimi’s first two SM films, but dude, Spider-man is my favorite as well and his treatment of Gwen Stacy in the third made me puke in my mouth. I think they were right to reboot from beginning, plus Peter Parker in this film isn’t quite the same as Peter in Raimi’s, he has more inner confidence from the get go and Garfield really does capture Spider-man’s arrogance and taunting of villains better than Maguire did (although Maguire was great). It’s fine to reboot the origin and they’re clearly taking it in a different direction, also that’s fine because as comic fans, we’re used to this, we have “amazing”, “spectacular”, “web of” and “ultimate” Spider-man, all have their own beginning. My biggest thing is, if you’re going to reboot, do more than three films… go beyond the originals, tell the whole story, give us the Gwen trilogy and the MJ trilogy.
Oh and if you’re saying the Captain America film was WAY to similar to Spider-man, I agree entirely. Who knew they were so similar till we saw that film? Not me.
Hammer,
I have considered and appreciated your arguments above, but I am left to conclude that your unconditional love for the character and his universe has, in the end, clouded your judgment in this instance. How can I possibly refute a man’s unconditional love for his favorite superhero?
When this movie’s first sequel is released (May 2, 2014), I’d like you to be our guest on Movie Podcast Weekly so we can analyze this further. Yes?
Jason
I’m there. But also… I’m right. In a world of pointless remakes and stupid sequels, having Spider-man and Amazing Spider-man is hardly a crime. Are you really suggesting they should have changed the face of spidey and picked up where they left off? Cause I would have despised that.
All I’m sayin’ is, if they wanted to reboot Spider-Man, we should have gotten a primary film (a first installment) with no origin story (because we all know it), with a villain that we haven’t seen before in previous movies, such as The Rhino. (We got The Lizard in Webb’s movie, but The Lizard’s story is very similar to the Green Goblin’s or Doc Oc’s.)
Now, are you telling me you would have despised that? Don’t lie. You would love it!
Oh, man I wish I was on this episode because I disagreed with about 80 percent of what you guys had to say, but it was another strong episode and it was fun to hear Hammer in this context.
Hi Josh,
I agree with what you wrote about Hammer: That guy has opinions about movies in any genre. So, 80 percent? Let’s hear it, Josh! Bring it on, Brother. We want to know what you have to say… Tell us where we’re wrong.
Jason